RELATIVE VITAMIN CONTENT OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA L FROM CHOSEN LOCATIONS IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA.

Abstract

Comparative analysis of the vitamin content compositions (A, C, E, B , B , B and B ) of a set of 1 2 3 6
five samples of dried Moringa oleifera L. leaves from each of the selected locations (Afikpo,
Abakaliki, Owerri, Okigwe, Umuahia and Aba ) in South-Eastern Nigeria were investigated
using standard methods . The results of the vitamin compositions of Moringa oleifera leaves
varied significantly (P < 0.05) from one source to another. Vitamin A content was highest in
Umuahia (7.72±0.13) and lowest in Owerri (2.96±1.10 ); vit C was highest in Umuahia
(50.10±0.87) and lowest in Owerri (30.27±1.10) ; vit E was highest in Umuahia (10.00±0.71)
and lowest in Owerri ( 5.31±1.33); vitamin B was highest in Afikpo (4.50±0.19) and lowest in 1
Aba (3.75±0.14); vitamin B was highest in Abakaliki (2.03±0.56) and lowest in Aba (1.67±0.02); 2
vit B was highest in Okigwe (2.84±0.11) and lowest in Aba ( 2.49±0.17) and vit B was highest in 3 6
Okigwe (3.01±0.15) and lowest in Aba (2.61±0.28). The vitamin A, C and E contents obtained in
samples from Umuahia, vitamin B content in sample obtained from Afikpo, and vitamin B 1 6
content in sample from Okigwe were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those from samples of
other locations respectively. While vitamin B and B contents in samples obtained from all the 2 3
locations were not significantly (p > 0.05) different among each other. The vitamin values
obtained in samples from different locations indicate, that the samples have nutritional and
medicinal potentials with Umuahia leading in value and these differences observed could be as a
result of variations in soil nutrients from the various sources and seasonal variations.